Surname McCrae - Meaning and Origin
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McCrae: What does the surname McCrae mean?
The last name McCrae is of Scottish origin and it is derived from the Gaelic personal name MacRaith. Mac means "son of" and Raith means "grace" or "prosperity," so the overall meaning of McCrae is "son of grace" or "son of prosperity." The MacRaith name was common among the Gaelic-speaking inhabitants of Ireland and Scotland. Over time, it was anglicized to McCrae. This family name was particularly associated with the Scottish Highlands and the clan system, belonging to the Clan MacRae, a powerful Highland clan. It may not only signify a biological relationship but could also imply a sort of feudal relationship between clan members and the clan chief. Being a member of a clan in such a system often meant shared social, political, and economic ties. It's worth noting that the spelling and pronunciation of such names might have changed over the centuries, and variations such as MacRae, McRae, and Rae are also common.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCrae: Where does the name McCrae come from?
The surname McCrae is of Scottish origin, specifically from the Highland region of Scotland. The name is derived from the Gaelic Mac Rath, which means "son of grace." It is also spelled as MacRae or McRae in various regions.
The McCrae family was part of a larger clan, Clan MacRae, which played a significant role in Scottish history. They were known as fierce warriors and loyal supporters of the Mackenzie chiefs.
Today, the surname McCrae is common in countries with a significant Scottish diaspora. This includes the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, the name is also quite prevalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Many people with this surname can trace their ancestry back to the original McCrae clans in Scotland, although there are also many others who have adopted or been given the name over the centuries. Overall, while it's not one of the most common surnames, McCrae is a name with a rich history and a significant presence in a number of countries around the world.
Variations of the surname McCrae
The surname McCrae is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Raith or Mac Rath, meaning "son of grace or prosperity." It has several spelling variations influenced by regional dialects, phonetics, and translations. These variations of the surname McCrae include McCray, MacRae, MacCrae, MacRath, MacRaith, McRaith, McRay, Maccrea, Makray, Macrie, McRea, and McCreagh, among others.
They may also include McCrea, McCrorey, MacRory, MacCrory, and MacRury, which are predominantly found in Ulster, Northern Ireland. Despite the spelling differences, all these surnames refer to the same Gaelic origin. However, it's also essential to note that the ways people spell surnames can change over time and may not always follow a standard or predictable pattern. Hence, there could potentially be more variations that are not listed.
Famous people with the name McCrae
- John McCrae: A Canadian physician, author, and poet known for writing the famous war poem 'In Flanders Fields'.
- George McCrae: An American soul and disco singer, best known for his 1974 hit "Rock Your Baby."
- Sharrie McCrae: A former Australian association football player who played for the Matildas.
- James McCrae: An Australian professional footballer who plays for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
- Frank McCrae: An American actor and former football player, best known for his roles in films like "48 Hrs" and "License to Kill".
- Joel McCrea: Notable American actor whose career spanned almost five decades and featured appearances in over 90 films.
- Frances McCrae: British-born Canadian actress best known for her role in the 1998 film "Last Night".
- Johnny McCrae: Professional basketball player in the NBA G League.
- Chris McCrae: American Entrepreneur, founder of the non-profit organization "No Plan B".
- Candy McCrae: Former professional basketball player for the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).
- Rachel McCrae: A former Australian netball player.
- Edward McCrae: American Army officer who was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.